Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal cell cancer--results and reproducibility by different surgeons in a high volume laparoscopic center.

Objectives: With increasing surgical skills and novel methods of hemostasis laparoscopic Partial nephrectomy has become an attractive treatment option for selected renal tumors. We report techniques, perioperative data and oncological outcome in a single center experience with three different surgeons.

Patients And Methods: Between March 2001 and October 2004, 44 patients underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal partial nephrectomy for exophytic tumors. Median tumor size was 3 cm (1-5 cm). In 25 cases the renal artery was clamped using endoscopic bulldog clamps and tumor resection was performed with scissors or the harmonic scalpel. Hemostasis was achieved by application of FloSeal only; closure of the collecting system with Lahodny sutures was performed, if necessary. Frozen sections were obtained in all cases.

Results: All procedures were successful with no intraoperative complications. Mean surgical time was 210 min (115-355 min); clamping time was 21 min (7-41 min) in 25 cases. In 8 cases suturing of the collecting system was required. Margins were negative in 37 cases, in five cases secondary resection was necessary to achieve negative margin status; in two cases radical nephrectomy was performed. There were no significant differences between surgeons in terms of patient data and results. At a mean follow-up of 15 months (6-37 months) no recurrence was observed.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using FloSeal is a feasible and safe method for treatment of small renal masses. The technique is reproducible by surgeons who are used to complex laparoscopic procedures like expected in high volume laparoscopic centers.